by George Chiasson
From South Station, the Red Line is followed very closely for the first eleven miles, mainly via single track, between the Cabot rapid transit yards and Braintree station, with a new Commuter Rail stop added at Quincy Center. Speeds of at least 60 mph are typically on this stretch, compared to the Red Line's 50 mph maximum, and the track characteristically much smoother than the rapid transit.
The branches diverge southward at iPearll interlocking, next to the Red Line's Cadigan Yard (Braintree), and continue largely at grade, using mixed single track with passing sidings. The Plymouth Line has a split terminal at Kingston & Plymouth; the Middleborough Line ends at Middleboro/Lakeville, each approximately 35 miles from South Station. All stops beyond Braintree are equipped with full-length high platforms to meet accessibility requirements and speed passenger movement. They are also endowed with generous parking lots, typically holding 300-550 cars, except for Kingston, which has a 1,000-car lot. At Brockton a parking lot will open in 1998 to handle 100 cars, along with a universal transportation center for connecting BAT buses and taxicabs.
All coaches used on the Old Colony (through November 16) are rebuilt "Pullman" cars, originally constructed in 1977-78 by Pullman-Standard as the MBTA's first modern "push-pull" equipment. They were refurbished in 1995-96 with new entry doors, wheelchair accommodation and 3x2 seating (among other changes) by Amerail Corp. of Hornell NY. All are unique in using "electric" doors remotely controlled by the Conductor, somewhat like a subway train. Cab control cars are comprised of 1 500 series "MBB" types, equipped with 2x2 flip-over style seats and toilets, and also with their existing remote doors (air-operated in this case) activated at the rear end.
Locomotives consist of two types:
GP40MCs (1115-1139) were
remanufactured by AMF (now GEC-Alsthom) from retired Canadian National freight
engines originally built in the 1970s, in the former Pointe-St Charles Shop
in Montreal. Some of these are also in service on existing South Side Commuter
Rail lines (Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Franklin, South Attleboro/Providence,
Stoughton and Readville). Through November 16, units 1115, 1116, 1118, 1123,
1127, 1128, 1129, 1130, 1133, 1134 and 1138 have been used on the Old Colony
lines. Units 1125 and 1139 are in service on existing South Side lines, while
1117, 1120 and 1137 have not yet entered passenger service. The rest have
yet to be delivered.
F40PH-2s (1000-1017, 1025-1036 and 1050-1075, except 1073) were built by EMD and Morrison-Knudsen in 1978, 1987 and 1992 expressly for the MBTA, and are being assigned to Old Colony lines on an interim basis until sufficient GP40MCs are in service and operating reliably. Through November 16, units 1015, 1025, 1029, 1031, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1053, 1064, 1065, 1068 and 1072 have been used at various times on the Plymouth and Middleborough Lines.
On September 26,1997 special dedication trains departed both Middleboro/Lakeville and Kingston terminals at 8:00 a.m., and arrived at South Station Tracks 6 & 7 simultaneously at 9:47, decked in bunting and with horns a-blaring in tribute. Speeches and special ceremonies followed, before attendees re-boarded and headed back south.
With the Fort Point Channel lift bridge and South Station laying in front of Downtown Boston, an Old Colony train is shown here from the former Dover St. bridge (now East Berkeley St.) pulling into South Station for its afternoon return trip to Middleborough.
The Old Colony keeps close company with the MBTA's Red Line from Cabot all the way to Braintree, as demonstrated by this outbound train for Kingston, as viewed from the rapid transit platform at North Quincy.
This view from atop the Quincy Adams parking garage reveals the modest skyline of Quincy Center in the background, as marked by the Granite Trust "tower" constructed in the 1920s. It has been 38 years since a commuter train rumbled through Quincy, back when the New Haven used vintage Alco RS-3s and DL-109s to haul long strings of coaches to Cape Cod, Plymouth and Greenbush. Budd RDCs were used to run short-turns to Braintree station, now an anonymous location identified as "Green" interlocking.
The suburban city of Brockton is a major focal point of the Middleborough Line. This community was once known as "The Shoe City", and times have been harsh since this characteristic industry all but disappeared over the past four decades. The city is relying heavily on restoration of the commuter service to nudge economic activity, particularly the commercial rebirth of its central business district. Ironically, the new station at Brockton is precisely at the same spot as the previous one, but the police headquarters replaced a once-ornate brick depot building in the early 1970s.
The new Kingston/Route 3 terminal of the Plymouth Branch was constructed from scratch using undeveloped property which had been zoned for industrial use. A 1.7 mile branch was hewn out of the trees parallel to Route 3, including two rather substantial tunnels to navigate the existing interchange with Route 3A. Access is via a long, winding back road behind the Independence Mall, and an adjacent sand & gravel facility provides this intriguing overlook by early morning light.